There is a push towardincorporating more technology in rental units, but does thetechnology actually result in better leasing velocity and fewerunits turning over? It is pretty early in the game to saydefinitively, but Adrian Goldstein of CGIStrategies says that the firm has seen a positiveresponse. CGI Strategies implemented technology tools and amenitiesat its Koreatown luxury apartment project KODO. The technologypackage starts on the website, making it easy for potentialresidents to view available units and make an appointment with theleasing office, and carries through to the unit interior, which isoutfitted with all of the latest technology and a customized tabletto control it.

“The response has been very good, and people are naturallypositive about it, and people are naturally curious andenthusiastic about it,” Goldstein, a co-founder at CGI Strategies,tells GlobeSt.com. “The response has been great. I don't thinkpeople are leasing with us initially because the technology isthere, it's a combination of all things. But when you look at thewhole technology package, it does leave an impression that maybepsychologically, a renter will say, 'hey I like that KODO.' Theymay not attribute it to the technology, but it left them with agood impression. Maybe more of an impression than a propertywithout it.”

While it is hard to say if tenants are signing leases because ofthe technology package, Goldstein says that the technology andamenities are helping to get them in the door. “It's an enhancementthat helps lead them our way,” he says. “We put Smart TVs in allunits. It used to be you had to bring you own refrigerator to anapartment. Today no one wants to get a U-Haul and schlep items toand from one unit to another. One of those items today is a 50-inchTV that you have to hang on the wall. Giving them an Apple TV,hanging it for them, that kind of technology enhances the customerexperience and says to them we want to make things as easy aspossible for you.”